The Fuller's League Cup represented something of a triumph for the club (although we don't really want to think about the final too much). Wins were registered against Kenley, Caterham and most pleasingly Olinda Vandals. Throughout the early stages of the cup Woods were able to field a large number of young players who proved themselves more than capable of performing at this level.

Once again the batting honours were taken by Chris Vagg whose form until August was as good as anyone in league, he registered nearly 400 runs including 3 fifties and fine innings of 80* in the league cup against Caterham. Of the other batsmen no-one approached Vagg's level of scoring although George Miller scored a good innings of 84 in the win against Stoke D'Abernon, Adam Sheridan made 71 against Spelthorne and Neil Park scored 2 fifties in the league and another in the cup.

Woodmansterne's strength lies mostly in bowling and fielding, and it is here that many of the best performances by the side were registered. Of the faster bowlers the pick of the bunch was the man with the understanding of dangerous (especially small) dogs; Peter Aldous proved what many of us who had faced him in the nets already new, he has an evil streak. Against Valley End Aldous took 7-28 alternately bouncing and yorking the batsmen until they could suffer no more. In the cup final he was the sole player to fully enhance his reputation as he took 6-50 in his 9 overs. Keeper Dave Pryor enjoyed keeping to Peter Aldous throughout the season, the combination worked so well that by the end of the season Pryor had smashed the 100 byes barrier (surely a league record?). Of the other quicks Vagg was next most successful taking nearly 20 wickets; Rob Hicks showed lots of promise in the early season especially when he took 5-28 against Kenley.

The bowler of season was 'bleeding fingers' Braden Higgs. Higgs overall figures of 28 wickets at 7.93 do not flatter him at all - he really did bowl that well. Consecutive 7 wicket hauls against Stoke D'Abernon and Chobham were backed up by good performances whenever else he bowled. In the Quarter final of the league cup Higgs scored a vital 74 which carried Woods from certain to defeat at 37-5 to a working total of 160 (which proved enough!). The other spinners Tom Wortley and James Bull (if he is actually a spinner) also bowled well.

Next season will be a big one for a number of the younger players who showed promise this year, what we need most of all is runs, hopefully the likes of Bull, Hicks, Polley and Wortley can score the weight of runs that their ability implies they can. If that happens Woods are going to be a very good side.........I'm allowed to dream!

Averages

1stX1 Report and Averages 2000

1stX1 Report and Averages 1999

1stX1 Report and Averages 1998